Romania on Top of the European Rowing Under 19 Championships Medal Table

The Lago di Varese in northern Italy was host to 400 rowers from 29 nations, as they took part in the 2022 European Rowing Under 19 Championships. Many nations ended up on the podium, with rowers from 14 of the 27 nations returning home with medals around their necks. Romania maintained its position at the top of the table again this year after securing an impressive three golds, one silver and one bronze. Greece also had three golds, while host nation Italy had two, but eight medals in total.

There was very close and intense racing throughout the second day, with five A-Finals decided by a margin of one second or less. Greece managed to hold off Italy twice on the line, in the women’s single sculls and the women’s pair, to claim two well deserved gold medals.

In the junior men’s single sculls, Marcus Chute of Great Britain took gold, following his similar performance at the recent Munich International Regatta – definitely a name to watch for the future. He beat Boris Taeldeman of Belgium and Pierre Molins of France.

The Romanian rowers started their medal haul with a convincing win in the junior men’s four followed by a very close win in the very next race, the women’s quadruple sculls. The Romanian national anthem would be heard one more time with a dominant performance in the women’s eight.

Italy won the most medals overall, finishing with two golds, five silvers and one bronze. The Italian success occurred in the women’s four and the men’s eight, in a tight race with Ukraine – and to the delight of the home crowd.

Ukraine landed on the medals table with a silver and two bronzes – a great performance for the Ukrainian squad, who sent a great contingent of 32 rowers to Varese. The Under 19 team is currently training in Germany and Poland. All the costs related to accommodation and local transport were paid by the organising committee of Varese. A flame of solidarity was lit by an Italian and Ukrainian athlete at the opening ceremony.

For race reports, photos, race results and videos, visit www.worldrowing.com.

Rowing will return to the Varese rowing course later this year, when it plays host to the 2022 World Rowing Under 23 and Under 19 Championships, from 25 to 31 July.